subject: A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Philippines [print this page] A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Philippines A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Philippines
Vacations and travels are great means of escaping the strains and anxieties of everyday life, through long periods of rests and relaxations. A testimony to this is Earl Wilson's wise thoughts that say that "A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking."
In the 60s and 70s, backpacking, a cheap way to spend a perfect vacation, became popular during the hippie era. Travelers get to enjoy more views and save more money by backpacking.
Backpacking dates back in the 60's when people, specifically the hippies, were searching for new and economical means of integrating with other cultures. It is a brave and bold option to going cross-country and requires a huge amount of time, effort and patience. To backpack is to travel by means of walking, avoiding as much as possible the use of public transport. The definition of the activity is not one that is as restrictive compared to other forms of travelling. The key rule is to travel as much by walking, stay in low-cost lodging facilities, interact as much as you can with the locals and their communities, and of course carry around a backpack.
The Philippines is one of the best destinations for a backpacking trip because there are a lot of surprises in its archipelago. Composed of more than 7100 islands, the country a perfect getaway in the Asia Pacific where you do not have to shell out a huge amount of money to enjoy.
If you are enticed by what a backpacking trip offers, you should first remember these basic points in order to maximize the experience that you are about to relish:
Dressing Filipino- style - The Philippines is notoriously known for having a very humid climate. Thus, dressing down is a must for this country, even if you're not going backpacking. To give you an idea, an average Filipino would rather wear shorts pants and a basic tee for the entire day than button-up shirts and long pants, though wearing such is not actually a crime in the country. The best thing to do though is pack a couple of interchangeable clothes that are light and comfortable yet can protect you against weather hazards. When you pack, it's also advisable to bring lots of sanitizing agents and insect repellants. This is because while the Philippines and its people are mainly hygienic, there are instances in your travel when you'll need these stuff. It's no crime to be prepared when situations like these arise.
ASK ASSISTANCE WHEN Necessary: Known for warm-hearted and hospitable people, Filipino won't doubt helping you if you need assistance. Renowned as one of Asia's best English speaking countries, talking to them in English wouldn't be a problem. Ask help from locals if you need directions but don't give out too much information. Remember that this is a foreign land so being extra careful of yourself should be the first thing in your check list.
Try native delicacies - You might want to quit dining on fancy restaurants and fast food and try the authentic Filipino street foods that are being sold for a very low price. Fishballs, banana-cue (fried and sugared bananas on a stick), banana fritter (sugared banana steamed inside a wanton wrapper), and isaw (chicken's intestines) are some of the local's favorites that you will surely enjoy.
Tip is a common tip - It is a common courtesy in the Philippines to leave some cash behind after paying the bill, since most of the restaurants and bars in the country do not include tips for the servers in the final charges. This also goes to giving an additional payment to the cab drivers, like leaving them the small amount of change from the money you paid based on the meter.
VISIT THE WONDERS OF THE LAND: If you plan to visit some islands in the Philippines, it's better to ask assistance from local boat folks than investing your money over expensive travel packages from hotels. For a beautiful and rich country like the Philippines, ecotourism is widely backed by the local and maintains the lifestyle of indigenous groups in the said areas. Respecting elders is highly supported by many in this country so I suggest you follow locals' common courtesy. Don't act like a total stranger and mix in with the crowd, in this manner you can enjoy your stay and gain friends.
Backpacking in the Philippines is a cheap, fun and an intellectually engaging way to lose all those physical and emotional baggage you've been carrying the entire year. I assure you that after you've made this trip, you'll never be the same again. The Filipinos can teach us a lot of things in terms of living our daily lives, learning humility and appreciating the things that we have.
The best part about this trip is that you get to learn the culture, lifestyle, and beauty of the well-preserved nature in Asia. Keep in mind that the essence of vacation not only comes from the sights you saw but the steps you took around the destination.
"We now no longer camp as for a night, but have settled down on earth and forgotten heaven." - Henry David Thoreau
